Rabies Problems and Rabid Raccoons [Sarasota]

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RRDepartment of Health Rabies Alert

Rabies Problems and Rabid Raccoons [Sarasota]

Rabies is still a real threat to the health and welfare of people as well as animals. This includes places here locally such as Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton. According to the CDC, every year, about 40,000 people receive a rabies prevention treatment called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) because they had contact with a potentially rabid animal.

More than 90% of all rabid animals reported to CDC each year occur in wildlife. The animals that get rabies the most are raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats. The facts are however, that most people in the U.S. get PEP treatment due to close contact with domestic animals such as cats or dogs.

What is the average cost for humans to be treated for rabies? 

Average cost of rabies treatment exceeds $3,000.

Call Nuisance Wildlife Removal, Inc. today, to humanely solve your wildlife problems, and wildlife proof your home. 1-866-263-WILD or 941-729-2103.

What are the Diseases that Raccoons can Spread to Humans? 

 

Rabies

Raccoons can be rather aggressive animals that can give diseases to people through bites, scratches and even indirect contact. Due to the fact that it is possible to come in contact with these wooly creatures around our homes, especially at night, it is vital to be careful when you are around them. Please use precautions when handling materials they’ve been in contact with or left behind, such as their waste material.

The most common disease people acquire from raccoons is rabies. If you are infected with it, the virus affects the central nervous system, and it can cause fevers, hallucinations and seizures. If a raccoon carries rabies, the virus is present in its saliva, so infected raccoons can transmit the disease through bites or scratches, as their claws are likely to have come in contact with their mouths. Staying away from raccoons in the wild is always a good idea, this includes if you see a raccoon in your back yard or out and about in a park. Even more, this is especially true if their behavior appears aggressive or erratic. Rabies can be deadly, but there are very few confirmed cases of raccoon-acquired rabies that have resulted in human death.

Salmonella

Salmonella bacteria are found in raccoon poop, and people can catch Salmonella infections when they come in cotanct with the droppings and then inadvertently transferring it from the hands to the mouth. These bacteria can be dormant in a dry environment, and then re-activate under favorable conditions. Salmonella poisoning can lead to fever, abdominal pain and severe diarrhea. It can be particularly dangerous to children, the elderly and people who have weaker immune systems.

Roundworm

Raccoons can excrete high numbers of roundworm eggs through their feces. The eggs are light and can become airborne, potentially leading to infections resulting just from breathing the air. Incidental ingestion can also infect a host. Roundworm parasites can lead to serious health issues in humans as they affect the central nervous system, and can impair the body’s organs, including the brain. The most severe roundworm-related infections can result in vision loss or even a coma.

Leptospirosis

The bacterium Leptospira causes the disease Leptospirosis, which infects humans and a host of other animals, including raccoons. They excrete this particular microorganism through their urine; as such, people can become infected by drinking water that has been contaminated with these bacteria. Mild cases of Leptospirosis can result in high fevers, body pain and both vomiting and diarrhea. More serious cases may lead to anemia, meningitis and liver failure.

There are other diseases including bacterial ones such as E.Coli, fungus and rare parasites. If you handle, feed or clean up waste be aware of the hazards to your health and be sure to use the utmost of hygiene and be very aggressive about it.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post.

For more information and a FREE INSPECTION/ESTIMATE in  Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton or surrounding areas, please Call 1-866-263-WILD or (941)729-2103. We are your local expert for humane and technologically advanced raccoon trapping and removal.

 

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